Blackstaff River, County Antrim

Origin

Background

Rises on the slopes of Black Mountain west of Belfast. Enters the Lagan a short distance E of Belfast city centre

par: Shankill bar: Belfast Upper

The E. element staff is a translation of the original Ir. element bior (gen. beara) which is likely to have referred to a primitive crossing-place, formed from beams of oak. The element black presumably referred to the colour of the beams.